MAJOR expansion plans have been unveiled for a Moray business park, signalling a further vote of confidence in the area’s economic future.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has submitted applications for two buildings at the Forres Enterprise Park, totalling 15,000 square feet of extra floor space.
The buildings are designed with flexibility in mind, providing "accommodation for ambitious businesses who wish to grow or invest in Moray".
If Moray Council planners give the development the green light, further approval will be sought from the HIE Board in December, and construction could begin in 2013.
Earlier this year, four new enterprise areas were created by the Scottish Government, offering additional incentives to investors in some of the country’s most important growth sectors.
A section of the Forres Enterprise Park was included in the Life Sciences Enterprise area, and in June, Finance Secretary John Swinney announced a £10 million boost for its development.
That cash has enabled HIE to accelerate the building of facilities and infrastructure to attract businesses and enable growth.
Under the plans, a 5,000-square-feet business space (Unit 10) would be created, designed so that it can be subdivided into up to five separate units if required.
The second construction, Unit 11, takes the form of a 10,000-square-foot light manufacturing building, which has been designed so that it can be converted into 20,000 square feet of office space while still meeting statutory building standards.
HIE said the new units – which will incorporate low carbon technology – will allow local companies and inward investors additional choice and room to grow or locate to the park.
At the moment, the 100-acre facility is running at near capacity, with just one building – the 3,000-square-foot Unit 8 – available for lease.
